Marnus Labuschagne concentrating on scoring runs for Australia after being overlooked for vice-captain’s role

Marnus Labuschagne is focused on his Ashes battle with Jimmy Anderson rather than on missing out on a leadership role in Australia’s Test team.

Marnus Labuschagne greets a young fan during an Australian Test squad practice session at Redlands. Picture: Chris Hyde / Getty Images

Marnus Labuschagne is happy to bide his time for an official leadership role in Australia’s Test team, as he focuses on starring with the bat in the upcoming Ashes series.

Despite being touted as a possible contender to be elevated to Australia’s vice-captaincy role, Labuschagne was not interviewed for a leadership position following the end of Tim Paine’s reign in charge last month.

With Pat Cummins stepping up from vice-captain to become Australia’s new skipper, former captain Steve Smith was appointed Cummins’ deputy, as was the wish of the fast bowler.

And that’s fine with Labuschagne, who will concentrate on scoring a mountain of runs when the Ashes series starts at the Gabba on Wednesday.

“I wasn’t disappointed,” the Queensland Bulls run-machine said on being overlooked for a leadership position.

“There are two very good leaders and very good candidates, and they’re the right people for the job right now.

“My job right now is to concentrate on scoring runs consistently for Australia. I’m happy for that to be my role for now.

“Both those guys are going to work together really well, and you certainly don’t need the title to still be a leader within the group.

“I’ll definitely be taking up that part, but I certainly wasn’t disappointed.”

Marnus Labuschagne is ready for the Ashes. Picture: Chris Hyde / Getty Images

Asked if he had future aspirations of becoming Australia’s vice-captain or captain, Labuschagne said he “doesn’t look too far ahead”.

“For me, it’s just concentrating on this series,” he said.

“The captaincy and vice-captaincy is something that you don’t search for. It’s something that comes to you.

“If it does come down the track, I’ll be thankful and if doesn’t, I’ll also be happy, but I’ll just be hopefully scoring runs for Australia.”

Labuschagne, 27, has already scored 1885 Test runs for Australia in just 18 Tests at the brilliant average of 60.80.

His battle with veteran England paceman Jimmy Anderson, who has taken 632 Test wickets, the most by any fast bowler, has Labuschagne excited ahead of the first Test.

“It’s going to be great fun. I really can’t wait for that challenge to face Jimmy,” he said.

“I’ve spoken about his quality as a player a lot. You don’t take that many wickets and be England’s best ever without being quality.

“It’s going to be a really exciting challenge for the Ashes.”

Labuschagne said the time had come for the Australians to unite in their bid to retain the Ashes.

“Cricket’s a team game from a culture point of view, but we communicate and we talk to each other without playing,” he said.

“Cricket’s also an individual game. The batters individually need to score runs and the bowlers need to put the ball in the right areas consistently.

“Everyone’s been preparing well wherever they’ve been and now it’s time for us to get the banter back in the squad and get the band going again.”